Juventus’ unbeaten run in Serie A has been marked by an unusual trend: they are not losing, but they are also not winning often. The latest draw, a 2-2 result against Venezia, has further frustrated fans who expressed their discontent with boos at the Allianz Stadium.
After the match, Juventus manager Thiago Motta faced the cameras to dissect yet another disappointing result, especially in contrast to their recent 2-0 victory over Manchester City in midweek.
“We didn’t perform well, and it shows in the result,” Motta told Sky Sports Italia. “Venezia defended very well, but we need to do better. The other night’s game against Manchester City is irrelevant; each match has its own story. Today, we can’t be happy with either our performance or the result.”
Motta emphasized the need for improvement: “We had the game in our hands at 1-0, and we should have continued to play, to push forward to close the game. But we didn’t.”
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Regarding the fans’ harsh reaction, particularly towards striker Dusan Vlahovic, Motta was understanding but firm.
“Fans have the freedom to express their emotions. The player himself is the first to want to change things. This isn’t the first time it’s happened, nor will it be the last. We need to stay united for Juventus’ sake. Everyone wants to change this situation,” he said.
Motta addressed the recurring theme of draws following significant performances, saying, “We’ve drawn with Cagliari, Parma, and now Venezia after matches against Leipzig, Inter, and Manchester City? Today, this is our reality. These were three completely different games from the previous three. There are no excuses. We must improve; we don’t want to stay where we are now.”
In response to criticism from pundit Giancarlo Marocchi about his choice of positioning Weston McKennie in midfield and Teun Koopmeiners as an attacking midfielder, Motta was defensive but respectful. “This is your opinion, and I respect it,” he said, addressing Marocchi directly.
“But I see them every day, I see how they work together, and today they had to play like this, with the freedom to change positions. It’s not about someone just staying in one spot; that’s only on paper. When the ball starts moving, there are many dynamics on the field.”
Juventus will look to bounce back as they face Cagliari in the Coppa Italia on 17 December. Meanwhile, Venezia’s next challenge is also against Cagliari in Serie A on 22 December.
